Joie de vivre!!!

How many of us would love to have more joy in our lives? How many of us would love to live life feeling joyful inspite of the circumstances? This is actually how we are called to live!
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

What is the key to feeling joyful? Is it really possible to be joyful even in difficult circumstances? Yes, it is possible and the key to true joy is thankfulness. Thankfulness is the position of the heart that is grateful to God for who He is and what He does for us. Since the focus of our thankfulness is God who is never changing, we can be thankful always. Joy is therefore not dependent on our situation but on our attitude of heart, a heart of thankfulness!

Paul was falsely accused and in jail, held for two years without trial when he wrote the letter to the Philippians. Yet, it is one of the most joyful epistles that Paul has written.
Philippians 1:3-6
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Notice how Paul begins. He starts by thanking God for the Philippian believers. Paul found a reason to thank God. No matter how dire the circumstance, there is reason to thank God! A thankful heart is a heart that honors God as there is no room for self pity and whinging about our circumstance. A thankful heart helps us to take our eyes off ourselves and help us to look toward God, our source of true joy!

What is your reason to be thankful to God today? Give thanks to God who is never changing. He is worthy of all our thanksgiving. Give thanks and you will soon find true joie de vivre despite your circumstance!